If you're sure it's solved, I'll post it here: Unfortunately, I cannot test it any longer. Basically, it involved the possibility to create and post in new threads, send and receive PMs with previous (old) credentials, i.e. without first completing the procedure to get new credentials for the new forum, as expected (and as I explained in my PM). I cannot test it any longer because now I have completed the afore mentioned procedure and am therefore accessing the forum with the new credentials (password). Hope it's clearer now. If not, please state precisely what is not.

Root is evil: Do not use root (sudo) to run any of the commands specified in my posts unless explicitly indicated. Please, provide the necessary amount of context to understand your problem/question.

I think there was a problem with the older cookies from phpbb 3.0.x being read by the newer phpbb 3.1.8 that we are now running. I too was logged in automatically without needing to authenticate but it fixed itself after about 6 hours and asked me to re-authenticate at that point. It's subsequently asked me every time after about an hour of inactivity.

CentOS 5 died in March 2017 - migrate NOW!
Full time Geek, part time moderator. Use the FAQ Luke